The 10 Most Common Interview Questions in The UK (And How To Answer Them)
Most Common Interview Questions in The UK: While facing an interviewer can be stressful, nothing builds confidence more effectively than careful preparation. While every interview is different, most hiring managers in the UK rely on a set of core questions to understand who you are, what you can do, and if you’re the right fit for their team.
By mastering these common questions, you can ensure you’re ready to put your best foot forward. Here’s a guide to the 10 most common interview questions and a framework for how to answer each one with confidence.
Table of Contents
10 Most Common Interview Questions in The UK
Acing Your Interview
Key Takeaways from Our Guide
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Understand the ‘Why’
Learn the real reason behind each question to give a powerful and relevant answer. -
Structure Your Answers
Use proven methods like the STAR technique to tell compelling stories about your experience. -
Use Concrete Examples
Back up every skill and strength with a real-world example and measurable results.
1. Tell me about yourself
What they really want to know: This isn’t an invitation to share your life story. It’s a warm-up question to see if you can provide a concise, professional summary of your career background and how it relates to the job you’re applying for.
How to answer: Use the Present-Past-Future model.
- Present: Briefly talk about your current role and what you do.
- Past: Connect your previous experience to the skills required for this new job.
- Future: Explain why you are excited about this specific opportunity and what you hope to achieve.
2. What are your greatest strengths?
What they really want to know: Do your strengths align with the needs of the role? Do you have any proof or supporting information for your statements?
How to answer: Choose two or three strengths that are directly mentioned in the job description. For each one, provide a brief, real-world example. Instead of just saying “I’m a good team player,” say, “I really enjoy collaborating with a team. In my last role, I was part of a project to reorganise the stockroom, and by working together, we reduced order picking times by 15%.”
3. What is your greatest weakness?
What they really want to know: Are you self-aware? Can you identify areas for improvement and show that you are actively working on them?
How to answer: Be honest, but strategic. Choose a real, minor weakness and explain how you are working to improve it. Avoid clichés like “I’m a perfectionist.” A good example would be, “In the past, I sometimes found it difficult to delegate tasks, as I wanted to ensure everything was done perfectly. However, I’ve learned that trusting my colleagues and using project management tools allows the team to be far more efficient, and I’ve seen great results from this approach.”
4. Why do you want to work for this company?
What they really want to know: Have you done your research? Are you genuinely interested in this company, or are you just applying for any job?
How to answer: This is where your research shines. Mention something specific about the company that appeals to you – their values, a recent project, their reputation in the industry, or a product you admire.
5. Why should we hire you?
What they really want to know: This is your sales pitch. How can you solve their problem? How would you describe your value in a clear and impactful way?
How to answer: This is your chance to connect your skills directly to the job description. Pick the top three requirements for the role and explain concisely how your experience matches each one.
6. What are your long-term career goals over the next five years?
What they really want to know: Are you ambitious? Do your long-term career goals align with the opportunities this company can offer? Are you looking for a long-term role or just a stepping stone?
How to answer: Show that you are ambitious but that your ambition aligns with the company. You could say, I’m excited to join a company that offers opportunities for growth and development. In five years, I hope to have become an expert in my field and potentially taken on more responsibility, perhaps in a senior or team-leader capacity within this department.”
Also check: Salary Calculator UK 2025/26 | Calculate Your Net Pay
7. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work
What they really want to know: This is a behavioural question designed to see how you handle real-world problems.
How to answer: Use the STAR method.
- Situation: Briefly describe the context. What was the challenge?
- Action: What specific steps did you take to resolve the challenge?
- Result: What was the positive outcome of your actions? Use numbers if you can (e.g., “We improved efficiency by 20%”).
8. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?
What they really want to know: Can you stay calm and productive when things get busy or difficult?
How to answer: Provide a specific example. Talk about how you prioritise tasks, stay organised, and communicate with your team to manage pressure. When faced with multiple deadlines, I create a prioritised to-do list and focus on one task at a time. I also believe in clear communication, so I would keep my manager updated on my progress to manage expectations.”
9. What are your salary expectations?
What they really want to know: Can the company afford you? Do you know your market value?
How to answer: This can be tricky. It’s always best to research the typical salary range for this role and location beforehand. Provide a realistic range, not a single number. You could say, “Based on my research for similar roles in this area and my level of experience, I’m looking for a salary in the range of £[Lower Figure] to £[Higher Figure].”
10. Do you have any questions for us?
What they really want to know: Are you genuinely interested and engaged in this role?
How to answer: Always say yes. Prepare at least two or three thoughtful questions beforehand. Do not ask about salary or holidays at this stage. Good questions include:
- “Can you tell me what a usual day in this role is like?”
- “How does the team measure success?”
- “What are the biggest challenges someone in this position might face?”
- “What are the opportunities for training and development?”
Conclusion
Success in an interview comes down to preparation. By thinking through your answers to these common questions, you can walk into the room feeling prepared, confident, and ready to show the interviewer that you are the best person for the job.
Jessica, a Recruitment Content Specialist, crafts engaging job descriptions for Fastjobs.uk. Her ability to translate employer needs into captivating role narratives ensures that each listing attracts the right talent. When she's not creating compelling job content, she loves to travel and spend time with her standard poodle, Maximus.
